Video store patrons are watching a David and Goliath story play out in downtown Toronto.

A favourite independent video store continues to survive at 801 Queen St. W. despite the closings of several corporate video stores in the area. Daniel Hana owns and operates Eyesore Cinema. In the video business for 17 years, he says independent shops have a secret weapon.

“[Independent video stores offer] knowledge, enthusiasm and respect for customer and for the media,” he said. “Blockbuster, Wal-Mart, HMV – they’re interested in one thing, the bottom line. They’re in it to maximize their profit margin as much as possible. They couldn’t care less if it was DVDs or diapers or lawn furniture.”

Although major corporate video chains have struggled in North America recently, Hana said an interesting trend has emerged.

“People always ask me if I’m happy now that most Blockbusters are closed,” he said. “But they’ve basically just changed their name to Netflix and now they’re on the Internet. It’s the same mentality; tons of garbage as cheaply as possible.”

David A. Wolfe is a professor of political science at the University of Toronto. He noted that corporate stores offer more products, but give up something else.

“There’s a lack of familiarity of the clerks (that customers) would see on a regular basis, who know their interest and could possibly suggest movies that they wouldn’t think of on their own.”